Musanze, January 10^th 2025

Rwanda Defence Force Command and Staff College (RDFCSC) Nyakinama held its 12^th annual Culture Day, a vibrant event celebrating the rich cultural diversity of its Senior Command and Staff Course (SCSC) participants. This year’s event featured 108 senior military officers attending SCSC 13. They come from 20 countries, including 19 African nations and one from Asia. They all showcased their unique traditions through cuisine, attire, music, and dance. 

The RDFCSC Commandant, Brig Gen. Andrew NYAMVUMBA presided over the event on behalf of the RDF Chief of Defence Staff. In his speech, the Commandant observed “This gathering celebrates unity in diversity. Each culture showcases not only the unique identities of our respective nations but also the shared values that bind us together as members of the armed forces and of the global village. In our line of duty, understanding and respecting cultural differences is paramount. It enhances our operational effectiveness and strengthens the bonds between us. Culture shapes our behaviors, informs our values, and fosters discipline within our ranks.”

The course Senior, Col Dr. Dany Gatsinzi noted that cultural exchange deepens students’ understanding, strengthens their camaraderie, and lays the groupwork for enduring relationships in service to their nations. “This shared journey is a testament to our common aspirations, reminding us that despite our different backgrounds, we are united by a collective commitment to excellence and leadership. Let us continue to inspire one another, drawing strength from our diversity, which symbolizes our cultures and shared goals”, he said.

Representing Allied students, Lt Col Robert Oumo Odeke from Uganda emphasized that the gathering was a testament to richness of their different culture. “Here, we are not just students or officers, but as well cultural ambassadors. We represent nations with distinct identities, yet we come together to share, to learn, and to celebrate. This diversity should not in any way be taken as a barrier, but rather as a bridge. It is through events like this that we strengthen our bonds and deepen our understanding of one another”, he noted.

The event provided a platform for students to exchange knowledge about their traditions, beliefs, values, and cultural diversity. Participating countries this year included Rwanda, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Jordan, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

The Culture Day remains a cornerstone of RDFCSC’s mission, showcasing the value of cultural understanding in tackling shared challenges and strengthening military cooperation across Africa and beyond.